JBL On Time

The iPod is no ordinary digital music player, so it's fitting that the JBL On Time looks far from ordinary. This alarm clock can play music from your iPod, and it looks good on your nightstand - assuming you've filled your room with modern Scandinavian furniture. If you're more of a traditional, Thomasville-type person, then the On Time (available in white or black) may clash with your style

Your iPod docks in the middle of the On Time, surrounded by a ring of speakers - two full-range audio drivers and a single tweeter, each rated at 6 watts. We were surprised by the solid sound quality of the On Time. Though midrange sounds are a bit lacking in warmth, and bass sounds distorted at high volumes, the On Time sounds quite good for its size. It has enough power to fill a 12-by-18-foot bedroom - and then some.

It's simple to configure the On Time to use your iPod's music as an alarm. All you have to do is dock your iPod, select iPod as the audio source when you set the alarm (which takes a few button presses), and put your iPod to sleep. There's a big Snooze button at the top of the On Time (the unit is sturdy enough to handle more than a few early-morning whacks), and the back of the clock has jacks for a subwoofer (if you need really boomin' bass), AM antenna (included), auxiliary in (so you can connect other audio devices), and an iPod dock connector for syncing your iPod to your Mac. Our only major complaint with the On Time is its lack of a remote control.

The bottom line. The On Time is decorative, functional, and sounds great.